Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Villarreal.
Monica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My life experiences got me to where I’m at now and also family, they really set the foundation of why I do what I do today…
I never imagined what My future would be like. Most grow up wanting to be in a certain field like a Doctor, Lawyer, Athlete, Judge, RAce car driver or even the next President. Me, I remember wanting to be a Teacher, coming from a small town there wasn’t much that you could really strive for unless you went into the City. I remember playing Cops and Robbers with my brother when I was 9. Little did I know that this would catch up to me later in life.
My parents (Ausencio & Anita) moved us to Dallas, Texas from a small town in St. Paul, Texas (San Patricio County). What started out as a summer vacation turned into a permanent stay in 1985. My Aunt Carolina and Uncle Tony had just opened Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Cedar Hill, Texas which is what brought my parents to Dallas. When I was old enough to work around 15, I started there as well. This is where I learned a lot of the restaurant business. Moving to Dallas was not easy for me, I was young and knew nothing else. The city life was a huge change and it wasn’t an easy transition but here I am…
I left home about a month into my My Senior year in High School and enrolled myself in D.E.C.A. Its a program that helps prepare entrepreneurs for careers in Hospitality, Finance, Management and Marketing and also added 2 college courses at Texas Tech in Business management and Peer Counseling. This program enables me to attend school from 8 am to 12 noon leaving the remainder of the day for homework and the evenings to go to work. I had to keep busy and fill my time in,
At 22, I worked for a Company in Arlington, Digital Dial Communications, it was a telemarketing company selling voice mail and pagers, Back in the day when they were 1st coming out. It was a struggle at first but once I picked it up I became 1 of the top 10 Hitters within the company.
At 23 I applied at Don Pablo’s Restaurant on Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas. After 6 months I was offered a position as a corporate trainer. After 2 months of training, I received my certification and was informed that I would be training staff and opening their new location on I-20 in Grand Prairie Texas. My very 1st Restaurant opening at 23….
In 1998, 3 years after working for Don Pablo’s, I applied with Citifinancial and was hired as an account representative in collections and put in my notice at Don Pablos. I started as a Front-end Collector working College accounts than about a year later went worked 90-120 day collections. For the next 8-9 years, I worked in several departments and made my way around Citi working as a Litigation specialist, Major accounts as a Sr. Account Rep and Sundry Collections Acct Rep. Here I was responsible for collecting Personal property tax.
Soon after I applied for a more challenging position and became a Tax Breach Mitigator working on Collection of defaulted Property Tax advanced by Citi. At this point I was working directly with Realtors, Lenders, Attorneys, County Tax offices and mortgagors to resolved issues regarding taxes, title, valuations and financial analysis. I was then sent to New Jersey The VP and another Sr. Representative to gather accounts that we would be managing from back home in Texas since we were closing that location down.
During the duration of my employment with Citi, I was involved with working closely with United Way and was appointed as Head of the Awareness Committee and for yearly events to raise money and worked with Meals on Wheels We took on and sponsored a local Non Profit facility named PediPlace. Pediplace offered medical help, counseling, free supplies for mothers and children. All you had to do was get there and the rest was taken care of.
Late 2004, I was at a standstill with Citi and looking at what other departments to get my hands on but as life would have it, I guess it was time for change. After coming across a local artist named Martin Martinez “Cosmo”, I found myself jumping into the entertainment world. From there I learned a lot about the entertainment industry and managing artists. This was going to be a new chapter in my life and one that would leave an everlasting impression…
During this time, I was in a position to get to know the entertainment industry quite well. Here is where I found myself not only managing local artists and entertainers but also helping them take their hobby and turn it into a business. During this time I was informed about a position as the with the Cockrell Hill Police department. I applied and was hired as the Executive Secretary to the Chief of Police. For the duration of my time with them, I also worked Dispatch and Municipal court. After my term, I continued managing and picked up more clients.
I took everything that I learned from every company that I worked for and have applied it to the business that I run today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth road? No, not even when things were going my way was that road smooth. I learned really early in life that there is a reason for everything. For me, it was that these challenges were preparing me for what to come. And let me tell you, there have been many lessons learned throughout my journey, there have been many struggles and setbacks. But most of all there was a lot of heartaches, disappointments and losses.
Don’t think for a minute that I hadn’t been passed up for opportunities with Citi or that there may have been favoritism at Don Pablos. My experience with the Police department wasn’t any different. So going into my own business was the alternate choice. yes alternate not ultimate (laughing)
The struggle is real and I was not about to let that hold me back from succeeding. For me, failure is not an option! I can’t afford it (laughing)
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about LeVin Ink Agency & Legal Services & Investigations – what should we know?
LeVin Ink Agency is not just limited to the list below. All my clients have been referral based clients, Below is a small compilation of what our company can offer your Business and individual needs.
- Booking Agent – Manage, Promote Market, Council, Orchestrate deals within the entertainment industry, more
- Startup Business – Assist in the preliminaries of starting a business
- Executive Associate Responsibilities
- Collections Agent
- Catering
- Caregiver – Depending on clients needs will determine if this position will be outsourced
- Crime Victims Coordinator for the State of Texas – Assist Victims of Crime with counseling, financial aid and legal services
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
In no particular order…
My Mom Anita, although our relationship was a unique one growing up… She’s creative and adventurous and the one that showed me that tough love is the backbone needed to succeed.
My Dad Ausencio, is the self-starter- business minded entrepreneur and a big influence on who I’ve become today.
Martin Martinez – Showed me a different side of life and that nothing is ever out of your reach if you want it bad enough.
Pricing:
- Fees are based per client or company Depending on their needs
Contact Info:
- Phone:214-949-6565
- Email:levin.ink@yahoo.com
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/levinink/
Image Credit:
Stephen Potter – Moon Kitten Photography – Photo #7 and #8
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
